Maria David
EMPLOYEES of the Oshakati Town Council (OTC) have voted to go on strike after they were offered no salary increase for this financial year.
This will be the third year in a row that employees will not be receiving salary increments. The employees are demanding a 7% increase backdated July 2021.
On Friday, 99% of employees voted for a strike.
Town Chief Executive Officer Timoteus Namwandi confirmed an election was held on Friday where the majority of the people opted for a strike, subjected to the labour commission in terms of an agreement on the rules.
“We are not sure when the strike will kick off as it has not yet been communicated to our office,” he said.
Namwandi stated that if the workers are to strike then service delivery in the town will be affected. Hence, they are trying all means to engage the workers to come up with a solution.
He emphasized that the council has already approved the 7% increment, but the final approver which is the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development rejected the request.
Namwandi indicated that an appeal against the matter was done and now they are waiting for final responses from the ministry.
Once the 7% salary increment is approved, the council is expected to increase the costs of municipal services such as water and refuse removal.
